Every European Car Of The Year Winner Since 1964

157Next

Prev

257Next

1964: Rover 2000

Our look back at the European Car of the Year winners begins in the year 1964, when the British car industry was still bringing innovative vehicles to the market. Like this Rover 2000, which won first place ahead of the Mercedes 600 and the rear-engined Hillman Imp.

Prev

357Next

1965: Austin 1800

In 1965, the European crown again went to England in the form of the Austin 1800 – from today's point of view, it appears somewhat antiquated, but at that time it was as advanced as the second-placed Autobianchi Primula with front-wheel drive. The Ford Mustang finished in third place.

Prev

457Next

1966: Renault 16

Renault clinched the first of six victories in 1966. Rightly so, because the 16 with its hatchback was extremely modern. In the next two positions: the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Oldsmobile Toronado.

Prev

557Next

1967: Fiat 124

The absolute Car of the Year in Europe record holder is Fiat with nine victories. It all began in 1967 with the 124, which is also recognizable to many as the Soviet-licensed VAZ-2101 that was steadily redeveloped into the boxy Lada Riva, which still maintained much of its 1967 DNA even in the early 1990s.

Runners-up: BMW 1600 and Jensen FF.

Prev

657Next

1968: NSU Ro 80

The NSU Ro 80 was the first German make and so far the only car with a Wankel rotary engine to win the CotY prize.

Why 1968 when the Ro 80 was launched in 1967, you ask? The prize is traditionally awarded at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with a selection of the last year's innovations. Runners-up: Fiat 125 and Simca 1100.

Prev

757Next

1969: Peugeot 504

Designed by Pininfarina, the 504 proved to be a great sales success for Peugeot. The European Car of the Year 1969 title might have helped here...

Runners-up: BMW 2500/2800 and Alfa Romeo 1750/2000.

Prev

857Next

1970: Fiat 128

With today's virtually unknown 128, Fiat was the first brand to win the European Car of the Year trophy for the second time.

Runners-up: Autobianchi A112 and Renault 12.

Prev

957Next

1971: Citroën GS

In 1971, Citroen won its first CotY victory, when the GS took first place with a clear lead over the VW K 70 and another Citroen: the SM.

Prev

1057Next

1972: Fiat 127

Fiat again – 1972 saw the crown go to the 127, which won just as clearly as its brand predecessor, the 128, two years earlier. A proof of what modern products Fiat had at that time.

Runners-up: Renault 15/17 and Mercedes 350 SL.

Prev

1157Next

1973: Audi 80

Finally another German victory to report in 1973 – the then-brand new Audi 80 won by only five points ahead of the Renault 5, and third place went to Alfa Romeo's Alfetta.

Prev

1257Next

1974: Mercedes 450 SE

Strange – just after the first oil crisis, a luxury sedan of all things won the European Car of the Year, namely the first Mercedes S-Class. To this day, it is the only victory for Mercedes.

Behind the German, the Fiat X1/9 and the Honda Civic meant a Japanese brand was up on the podium for the first time.

Prev

1357Next

1975: Citroën CX

Looking back, you might expect the first-generation of Volkswagen Golf to have won the CotY gong in 1975 – but of course it's not just German journalists who voted – the Golf only finished second in front of the Audi 50 and behind the Citroen CX.

Prev

1457Next

1976: Simca 1307/1308

Do you remember Simca? Today, the victory of what later became a Peugeot subsidiary brand in 1976 might seem astonishing. The 1307/1308 series was ahead of the BMW 3 Series and the Renault 30.

Prev

1557Next

1977: Rover 3500

Thirteen years after its first CotY victory, in 1977 Rover won with the successor model to the 2200, the 3500, which was appealing due to its sleek design and a V8 engine. It was the last victory for an English car. Runners-up: Audi 100 and Ford Fiesta.

Prev

1657Next

1978: Porsche 928

Forty years ago, the Porsche 928 was the first and only sports car to win CotY – and likewise this was the only win so far for the Porsche brand. Runners-up in 1978: BMW 7 Series and Ford Granada.

Prev

1757Next

1979: Simca Horizon

This is the year full of cars you've never really heard of. Another Simca took the CotY prize – the modern Horizon was later sold under the name Talbot. Close behind: Fiat Ritmo and Audi 80.

Prev

1857Next

1980: Lancia Delta

These were the times when a new Lancia impressed the professional world so much that it was voted European Car of the Year. The Delta triumphed over the Vauxhall Astra and the Peugeot 505 in 1980.

Prev

1957Next

1981: Ford Escort

A victory for Germany or Europe? In 1981, the Ford Escort, which was co-developed in the UK, prevailed just a small amount ahead of the Fiat Panda and Austin Metro.

Prev

2057Next

1982: Renault 9

The Renault 9 is one of the many forgotten cars of the 1980s. In 1982, it was European Car of the Year in front of the Vauxhall Cavalier and the Volkswagen Polo.

Prev

2157Next

1983: Audi 100

Another German victory and yet again one for Audi: in 1983, the third generation of the 100 took first place. In front of another wind tunnel miracle, the Ford Sierra. Third place remained for the square Volvo 760.

Prev

2257Next

1984: Fiat Uno

It seems fitting – Uno is the Italian word for one, and the small Fiat took number one place in 1984 in the European Car of the Year awards. Runners-up: Peugeot 205 and VW Golf.

Prev

2357Next

1985: Opel Kadett

Cheering in Luton: while the Volkswagen Golf only finished third last year, the Kadett, known in the UK as the Astra, won in 1985... but the competition wasn't too strong in the form of the Renault 25 and Lancia Thema.

Prev

2457Next

1986: Ford Scorpio

The W124 Mercedes E-Class only managed third place in 1986, ahead of the Lancia Y10 and the overall winner, the Ford Scorpio.

Prev

2557Next

1987: Opel Omega

Only two years after the Kadett won the prize, Opel was able to cheer again: the Omega sedan prevailed over the Audi 80 and BMW 7 Series.

Prev

2657Next

1988: Peugeot 405

A record to date: 464 points for the Peugeot 405 meant a lead of 212 points over the second-placed Citroen AX. Third place went to the Honda Prelude.

Prev

2757Next

1989: Fiat Tipo

The Fiat Tipo is currently celebrating its 30th birthday – and it shouldn't be forgotten that it was European Car of the Year in 1989. Runners-up: Opel Vectra and VW Passat.

Prev

2857Next

1990: Citroën XM

Fifteen years after the Citroen CX, its successor, the XM, also won the European Car of the Year title. It was to be the last victory for Citroen up until the present day. Runners-up: Mercedes SL and Ford Fiesta.

Prev

2957Next

1991: Renault Clio

By the beginning of the 1990s, Japanese cars were beginning to offer serious competition for the established Europeans. So it is not surprising that in 1991 the Nissan Primera finished second behind the Renault Clio, but ahead of the Opel Calibra.

Prev

3057Next

1992: VW Golf

It took the VW Golf almost 20 years to become Car of the Year in Europe. In 1992, it won ahead of its arch-rival, the Opel Astra, and the Citroen ZX.

Prev

3157Next

1993: Nissan Micra

This year's awards caused something of a sensation – the Nissan Micra was the first Japanese car to win the European CotY. The runners-up: Fiat Cinquecento and Renault Safrane.

Prev

3257Next

1994: Ford Mondeo

Another victory for a world car: in 1994, the Ford Mondeo was able to hold its ground ahead of the Citroen Xantia and the Mercedes C-Class.

Prev

3357Next

1995: Fiat Punto

Points win for Fiat: in 1995, the Punto (Italian for "point") placed ahead of the VW Polo and the Opel Omega.

Prev

3457Next

1996: Fiat Bravo/Brava

In 1996, we saw the first time a brand successfully defended its title – the Fiat Bravo and Brava prevailed against the Peugeot 406 and the Audi A4.

Prev

3557Next

1997: Renault Mégane Scénic

In 1997, we began to see a reflection of the changing market – the Renault Megane Scenic MPV won the European CotY trophy ahead of the Ford Ka and Volkswagen Passat.

Prev

3657Next

1998: Alfa Romeo 156

The first victory for Alfa Romeo was a clear one – the neat 156 was awarded a clear win by the jury in front of the Volkswagen Golf and the Audi A6. The Italians seem to do well, eh?

Prev

3757Next

1999: Ford Focus

The Ford Focus caused a stir at the end of the 1990s – especially in terms of design, where it brought a new level of chic to the mass market. It won the European Car of the Year in 1999, beating the Opel Astra and Peugeot 206.

Prev

3857Next

2000: Toyota Yaris

Another victory for Japan: in 2000, the Toyota Yaris won ahead of the Fiat Multipla. Third place went to the Opel Zafira.

Prev

3957Next

2001: Alfa Romeo 147

A successful period for Alfa Romeo: in 2001, the 147 overtook the Ford Mondeo by only one point. The Toyota Prius was only 10 points short of the gold medal.

Prev

4057Next

2002: Peugeot 307

The decision was somewhat clearer in 2002 – the Peugeot 307 won ahead of the Renault Laguna and Fiat Stilo.

Prev

4157Next

2003: Renault Mégane

The 2000s were a successful time for brands from France and Italy. In 2003. the Renault Megane won, followed by the Mazda 6 and the Citroen C3.

2009: Opel Insignia

2010: VW Polo

The top three finishers of the year 2010 are interesting: The Volkswagen Polo won ahead of the Smart Fortwo-like Toyota iQ and the Opel Astra.

Prev

4957Next

2011: Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf was the first electric vehicle to be named European Car of the Year in 2011. The other seats: Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Opel Meriva.

Prev

5057Next

2012: Opel Ampera/Chevrolet Volt

Was it an electric car with a range extender or a plug-in hybrid? Whatever the Opel Ampera alias Chevrolet Volt was supposed to be, it was advanced stuff back in 2012. This secured it the crown before the Volkswagen Up and the Ford Focus.

Prev

5157Next

2013: VW Golf

More than 200 points ahead: 2013 was the year of the VW Golf in its seventh generation. The runner up places were taken by the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ and the Volvo V40.

Prev

5257Next

2014: Peugeot 308

2014's European Car of the Year award was almost an electro-triumph. In the end, however, the Peugeot 308 moved ahead of the BMW i3 and the Tesla Model S.

Prev

5357Next

2015: VW Passat

In the 2010s, VW made up for a number of missed European CotY opportunities, particularly in 2015 with its Passat. Behind came the Citroen C4 Cactus and the Mercedes C-Class.

Prev

5457Next

2016: Opel Astra

Opel also had reason to cheer – in 2016 the then-new Astra won ahead of the Volvo XC90 and the Mazda MX-5.

Prev

5557Next

2017: Peugeot 3008

Alfa Romeo almost triumphed in 2017, but was edged out by a French rival. The Giulia left the Mercedes E-Class behind, but it was taken down by eventual winner, the Peugeot 3008.

All European Car of the Year winners

Here are all of the models that won the coveted European award.

The revered title of Car of the Year has been given out in Europe since 1964. At the beginning there 26 journalists from nine countries who picked the winner, and now the panel has grown to 60 men and women from 23 countries.

In 2018, the honor has gone to Volvo and its XC40 small SUV, which would have been a safe bet ahead of the announcement. Of course, there have been some surprises in the last five decades, as our look back reveals.